The Gin Admin Theme isn't just a fresh face; it's redefining how developers and editors use Drupal. Built as a powerful alternative to Claro, Gin combines bold design, accessibility, and thoughtful customization, making it a standout Drupal admin theme in 2025.
Used by over 50,000 Drupal sites, Gin is not merely a styling option; it’s a catalyst for core-level admin improvements. Let’s explore its journey, core strengths, and how it’s shaping Drupal’s future.
A Powerful Evolution of Claro
Gin emerged from Claro under the leadership of Sascha Eggenberger to push core admin UX into new territory. Originally a color extension, it transformed into a full-featured theme thanks to community-driven innovation. Its name is a nod to its origin in Claro, signaling both heritage and transformation.
Why Gin Matters to Developers
What makes Gin more than just a pretty admin skin? It’s a fast-moving sandbox for UI experimentation where bold ideas like sticky elements, customizable interfaces, and dark mode are tested. These features are eventually funneled into core, so using Gin today means adopting tomorrow’s standards.
Gin vs. Claro: What’s the Difference?
While Claro is part of Drupal core and known for its stability, Gin pushes the boundaries with cutting-edge UI patterns and faster iteration. It acts as a sandbox for experimenting with new admin UI features, some of which are later proposed for core inclusion.
|
Feature |
Claro |
Gin Admin Theme |
|
Dark mode |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Sticky UI buttons |
❌ No |
✅ Yes |
|
Sidebar customization |
❌ Limited |
✅ Full support |
|
Developer-first focus |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (enhanced) |
This makes Gin a great choice for developers who want to future-proof their Drupal admin experience while contributing feedback to the core initiative.
Standout Gin Admin Theme Features
Below are some of the new features that we have seen in the Gin Admin Theme:
1) Fresh, modern interface: Instantly recognizable as “not typical Drupal”.
2) Dark / Light / Auto modes: Full OS-syncing UI preferences.
3) Sticky buttons: Save or preview never scrolls out of view.
4) Custom accent & focus colors: With accessibility-aware contrast checks.
5) High-contrast accessibility mode: Enhanced visual boundaries.
6) Vertical sidebar navigation: Collapsible, intuitive, and efficient.
7) Visual Type Tray: A polished content-type selector.
8) Layout Builder & Gutenberg support: Rich and cohesive editing workflows.
9) Gin Toolbar & Login modules: Consistent branding across admin login and toolbar.